SYDNEY: China kicked off their Women’s Asian Cup title defense with a battling 2-0 win over resilient tournament debutants Bangladesh in Group B on Tuesday, courtesy of Wang Shuang and Zhang Rui hitting the target.
But it was hard work in front of a boisterous crowd at Western Sydney Stadium against a young team ranked almost 100 places below them.
Earlier, Myong Yu Jong bagged a hat trick as three-time champions North Korea marked their first game at the continental competition since 2010 with a slick 3-0 win over Uzbekistan in the same group.
China beat South Korea in Mumbai four years ago to win their ninth Asian Cup and are the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
But they have struggled in recent times and are bidding to recreate their glory days under Australian coach Ante Milicic.
It was tougher than expected against a Bangladesh team that showed no fear and would have taken the lead but for a fine fingertip save by Chen Chen from Ritu Porna Chakma’s dipping shot.
Playing at a fast and furious pace, China created plenty of opportunities but had to wait until just before halftime to open their account when Wang’s long-range shot curled in.
Zhang added a second minutes later from outside the box to stun Bangladesh.
But the underdogs, coached by England’s Peter Butler, refused to lie down and admirably regrouped to prevent any more goals despite China’s constant threat.
North Korea were dominant against the Uzbeks, striking early to pile on the pressure, and there was no way back for a side that lost their starting goalkeeper to a neck injury after 10 minutes.
Midfielder Myong clinically finished on the turn in the sixth minute after a goalmouth scramble in front of a smattering of North Korean fans.
She doubled the lead with a penalty after Chae Un Yong was shoved over and made it 3-0 with another spot kick on 41 minutes, again planting the ball into the left-hand corner.
The second half was played almost exclusively in the Uzbek half, but they limited the damage by defending well.
One of Asia’s most successful women’s sides, North Korea are looking to replicate their titles from 2001, 2003 and 2008.
Their momentum from the 2000s was checked when they were banned from the 2015 World Cup qualifying for failed doping tests and they did not play any games from 2019 to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
